Clinton Hostage-Taker Allegedly Cited Her Campaign Ad

December 17, 2007

By LINDSAY HAMILTON

ABC News' Kate Snow reports: ABC News has learned that Leeland Eisenberg -- the man accused of holding hostages at Hillary Clinton's Rochester, N.H., campaign office for six hours on Friday -- allegedly cited one of Clinton's campaign commercials when police say he entered the office and claimed to have a pipe bomb strapped to his chest.According to sources, the campaign office intruder was complaining about insurance issues and mentioned a recent campaign ad widely seen by New Hampshire voters.

"She helped that guy, she can help me," Eisenberg allegedly told Clinton campaign staffers, referring to Joe Ward, a Clinton supporter featured in the ad. The intruder then demanded that Sen. Clinton talk with him. On the advice of law enforcement officials, the senator never did.Eisenberg never actually had a bomb, authorities said, but had road flares strapped to his chest. The hostages could not see what was under his jacket and believed it could be a bomb, they added.Joe Ward is a New Yorker who was also featured in TV ads when Clinton ran for Senate in 2000. In the testimonial ad, which features somber piano music, Ward intones: "Let me tell you a little story. My son Joel had a terrible illness. He needed a bone marrow transplant that our insurance wouldn't cover and we couldn't afford. We called Sen. Clinton and asked for help. Her office called the next day, letting us know that the hospital was going to absorb the cost of the transplant. Now her opponents are saying that Hillary can't be trusted? I trusted this woman to save my son's life, and she did."